The Hero with a Thousand Faces (Mythos Books)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Not Free SF Reader
  • This book changed my perspective on "Life, the Universe, and Everything"
  • Not sure what all the fuss is about this book
  • A Master Teacher
  • a piece of the puzzle.
The Hero with a Thousand Faces (Mythos Books)
Joseph Campbell
Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Folklore & MythologyFolklore & Mythology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Sociology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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GeneralGeneral | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Campbell, JosephCampbell, Joseph | ( C ) | Authors, A-Z | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Mythology | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Fairy TalesFairy Tales | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0691017840

Amazon.com

Originally written by Campbell in the '40s-- in his pre-Bill Moyers days -- and famous as George Lucas' inspiration for "Star Wars," this book will likewise inspire any writer or reader in its well considered assertion that while all stories have already been told, this is *not* a bad thing, since the *retelling* is still necessary. And while our own life's journey must always be ended alone, the travel is undertaken in the company not only of immediate loved ones and primal passion, but of the heroes and heroines -- and myth-cycles -- that have preceded us.

Book Description

Joseph Campbell's classic cross-cultural study of the hero's journey has inspired millions and opened up new areas of research and exploration. Originally published in 1949, the book hit the New York Times best-seller list in 1988 when it became the subject of The Power of Myth, a PBS television special.

The first popular work to combine the spiritual and psychological insights of modern psychoanalysis with the archetypes of world mythology, the book creates a roadmap for navigating the frustrating path of contemporary life. Examining heroic myths in the light of modern psychology, it considers not only the patterns and stages of mythology but also its relevance to our lives today--and to the life of any person seeking a fully realized existence.

Myth, according to Campbell, is the projection of a culture's dreams onto a large screen; Campbell's book, like Star Wars, the film it helped inspire, is an exploration of the big-picture moments from the stage that is our world. It is a must-have resource for both experienced students of mythology and the explorer just beginning to approach myth as a source of knowledge.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-25

In the Hero with a Thousand Faces Joseph Campbell traces the myths and stories associated with the heroic archetype through all the varied cultures and types, also looking at a psychological viewpoint at times. Very interesting from a storytelling point of view, and at something that resonates so strongly around the world.

5 out of 5 stars This book changed my perspective on "Life, the Universe, and Everything".......2007-05-12

Wow. Now that I've read this book I can't believe that I'd never heard of Joseph Campbell before. I started this book slowly, taking in the general idea and getting the point Campbell is making: all myths, religions, epic tales, etc. follow the same basic over-arching pattern. The pattern is plotted out in extreme detail in the book, so I won't go into it here, but it is spot on.

Anyone who has any interest in religion, philosophy, psychology, or the human condition needs to read this book. ALthough it starts out a bit slow and self-evident, by the end you realize that you are reading a book written by a true master teacher. Campbell's clearcut objective explanations are superb and unarguably true. Using examples from the Bible, the Iliad, the Koran, native American folklore, Hindu tales, fairy tales, Eskimo tales, Chinese legends, African tribal rituals, and too many more cultural tales to mention, Joseph Campbell definitively lays out the monomyth and its structure.

The beauty of Campbell's writing is how it sneaks up on you. I was following the general theme of the book and feeling as if I was learning something until around the middle of the book it all clicked. This book is not just about myth, philosophy, or religion, it is about mankind's constant struggle to nail down and explain the human condition. What troubles us is that we can't ever do it.

For this reason, in every culture, there is always a hero story. A hero story that describes the life and adventures and discoveries of one man who broke through the confusing walls of this world we live in and became truly enlightened. What makes this book so perfect, though, is the painstaking detail with which Campbell recounts different parts of different myths, religious tales, legends, and folklore to illustrate the "monomyth" that all these stories are telling.

Be sure to also read the footnotes, as valuable information and references to other interesting novels are often found there as well.

3 out of 5 stars Not sure what all the fuss is about this book.......2007-04-24

I got this book because many people mention that it is the way to learn how people tick. It has been mentioned that this can help with character development in writing.

I couldn't read it.

Maybe I am just not cerebral enough because I thought it was full or obscure references and difficult passages that lost me time and again. I could boil down what I got out of it, which is basically Freud's doctrine about how we all want to sleep with our mother's (or fathers).

There has to be something better out there than this.

If you don't enjoy Psychology / Mythology textbooks you won't like this.

I give it 3 stars because I didn't read the whole thing. Maybe all of the good stuff is after the first 100 pages...

5 out of 5 stars A Master Teacher .......2007-02-22

The master teacher's words live on... It's amazing how Campbell's writings and teachings gain greater power and meaning over time. I recently watched a library rental tape of the PBS aired talks he did with Bill Moyers in 1987. I now plan to purchase these tapes as well as his books.

5 out of 5 stars a piece of the puzzle........2006-12-29

Campbell has got it all figured out. He and Jung are a must read for any one looking to see religion for what it is rather than the misinterpreted mumbo jumbo that has been handed down as fact. This book is also important for writers. Since I am now a writer, and have been devoting myself to that, Campbell's works have been very helpful. Lucas used this book when creating Star Wars. Some of his characters seem plucked from this book. It is a must have for almost any writer, especially fantasy writers looking to create a complete myth/world.
The Hero with a Thousand Faces (Bollingen Series XVII)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • One of the best storytellers of our time!
The Hero with a Thousand Faces (Bollingen Series XVII)
Joseph Campbell
Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Campbell, JosephCampbell, Joseph | ( C ) | Authors, A-Z | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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  3. Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth

ASIN: B000GQ367W

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars One of the best storytellers of our time!.......2006-12-15

This was required reading for a graduate course in the Humanities. This is a great book written by a very engaging storyteller. Joseph Campbell describes the monomyth in his book The Hero With a Thousand Faces as embodying all the necessary elements of the hero's journey in the many myths in human history. Campbell discovered through extensive research that humankind shares a universal monomyth in its various religions and legends especially pertaining to the creation of the world and humankind. Campbell borrowed the term monomyth from James Joyce's book Finnegan's Wake. Campbell's intuitive insight in human myth proves that for thousands of years these myths display a certain standard structure, which he summarizes beautifully in his book.

A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a
region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there
encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back
from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons
on his fellow man (Campbell 30).

There are at least four major stages that a monomyth has however, in his book, Campbell goes on to describe seventeen stages that some monomyth's posses. The four stages making up the cycle of a monomyth are "passage: separation-initiation-return:" In the passage stage the hero is summoned to journey or embark on an adventure by some kind of event that takes place or from a message, he receives. The hero may embark on this passage willingly or reluctantly. During the separation stage, the hero meets with a mentor or wise man who gives the hero either an amulet or some words of wisdom to be of help to the hero on the adventure. It is during this stage that the hero will go through his first transformation, also known as "crossing the first threshold," as he crosses over to another world or dimension leaving behind the old world. In the initiation stage, the hero goes through several trials or tests. The hero often receives help in these ordeals along the way by allies or from a supernatural force. As the hero completes these ordeals successfully, he proves himself more worthy to continue the adventure. Most importantly, during this stage the hero must pass through a major ordeal that will expand his consciousness, and thereby change his character forever. Often, this ordeal entails the death of an ally or enemy. Once the hero successful accomplishes his ordeal he is rewarded with a gift, it could be intrinsic like the "holy grail, or it can be new found knowledge to better the world with. The last stage the hero travels is that of the return whence he came. Often the hero will undergo further trials on his return before he is permitted to cross the threshold back to the world he left. During his return journey, the hero will use his newfound wisdom or gift to make a safe return home. Once home the gift is used to cure some ill in the hero's home or to impart new wisdom to his neighbors.

Campbell points to the significance of the monomyth in the fact that it describes the cycle that Moses, Jesus, and Buddha had gone through according to their religious adherents. This is not to mention the hundreds of other monomyths told throughout human history. The monomyth proves that humankind shares a common creation DNA in a sense. The monomyth is the perfect vehicle for one to study the Humanities by.

Recommended reading for anyone interested in history, psychology, philosophy.

The Hero with a Thousand Faces
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • One of the best storytellers of our time!
The Hero with a Thousand Faces

Manufacturer: Meridian Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Campbell, JosephCampbell, Joseph | ( C ) | Authors, A-Z | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000I3HMAU

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars One of the best storytellers of our time!.......2006-12-15

This was required reading for a graduate course in the Humanities. This is a great book written by a very engaging storyteller. Joseph Campbell describes the monomyth in his book The Hero With a Thousand Faces as embodying all the necessary elements of the hero's journey in the many myths in human history. Campbell discovered through extensive research that humankind shares a universal monomyth in its various religions and legends especially pertaining to the creation of the world and humankind. Campbell borrowed the term monomyth from James Joyce's book Finnegan's Wake. Campbell's intuitive insight in human myth proves that for thousands of years these myths display a certain standard structure, which he summarizes beautifully in his book.

A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a
region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there
encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back
from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons
on his fellow man (Campbell 30).

There are at least four major stages that a monomyth has however, in his book, Campbell goes on to describe seventeen stages that some monomyth's posses. The four stages making up the cycle of a monomyth are "passage: separation-initiation-return:" In the passage stage the hero is summoned to journey or embark on an adventure by some kind of event that takes place or from a message, he receives. The hero may embark on this passage willingly or reluctantly. During the separation stage, the hero meets with a mentor or wise man who gives the hero either an amulet or some words of wisdom to be of help to the hero on the adventure. It is during this stage that the hero will go through his first transformation, also known as "crossing the first threshold," as he crosses over to another world or dimension leaving behind the old world. In the initiation stage, the hero goes through several trials or tests. The hero often receives help in these ordeals along the way by allies or from a supernatural force. As the hero completes these ordeals successfully, he proves himself more worthy to continue the adventure. Most importantly, during this stage the hero must pass through a major ordeal that will expand his consciousness, and thereby change his character forever. Often, this ordeal entails the death of an ally or enemy. Once the hero successful accomplishes his ordeal he is rewarded with a gift, it could be intrinsic like the "holy grail, or it can be new found knowledge to better the world with. The last stage the hero travels is that of the return whence he came. Often the hero will undergo further trials on his return before he is permitted to cross the threshold back to the world he left. During his return journey, the hero will use his newfound wisdom or gift to make a safe return home. Once home the gift is used to cure some ill in the hero's home or to impart new wisdom to his neighbors.

Campbell points to the significance of the monomyth in the fact that it describes the cycle that Moses, Jesus, and Buddha had gone through according to their religious adherents. This is not to mention the hundreds of other monomyths told throughout human history. The monomyth proves that humankind shares a common creation DNA in a sense. The monomyth is the perfect vehicle for one to study the Humanities by. Recommended reading for anyone interested in history, psychology, philosophy.
Face of a Hero
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Haunting Book
  • A Gripping Memoir That Stands Out Among the Brummagem
  • A book not only to read but to very much feel
  • The finest war book I have read on effects of soldiers.
  • This is far from a novel.
Face of a Hero
Louis Falstein
Manufacturer: Steerforth Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

ContemporaryContemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
LiteraryLiterary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
HistoricalHistorical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
WarWar | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
20th Century20th Century | United States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1883642698

Book Description

A rediscovered novel of World War II air combat that predates Catch-22 by a decade.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Haunting Book.......1999-12-16

Book deserves all the praise it has gotten. At age 18 I was an aerial gunner who flew 28 missions out of Italy. This remarkably accurate book brought me back in haunting ways to times that seem like a dream to me now. Falstein's hero knew what he was fighting for. He felt others did not. In fact, however, like Falstein, a big percentage of WWII airmen I knew were idealistic in the better sense of that word. A mad man was tying to enslave the world and they in their own way were trying to stop him. That simple! Great book.

5 out of 5 stars A Gripping Memoir That Stands Out Among the Brummagem.......1999-09-20

As an earlier review said, this is a straight memoir, not a novel per se. And as such, it is thoroughly clear-eyed, insightful and moving. A "Old Man" (34 year-old) B-24 Liberator gunner rides crew with the young boys who rapidly become old men as well. Falstein's ruminations show the men as they ineluctably crumble on the inside with each successive mission in their vulnerable, lumbering bombers -- not knowing exactly what they are fighting for, but knowing, simply, that they must go on. A stunning memoir, one of the finest out there; worth more than many others put together.

5 out of 5 stars A book not only to read but to very much feel.......1999-08-12

Face of a Hero is a book i first read back in 1951 when i was a teenager and WW2 was still fresh in my adolesent mind and altho at that time there were many things i could not fully fathom, it was a book i never forgot, but the book never again was to be seen until a recent visit to a bookstore almost 50 years later. Having now once again read it as a senior citizen I realize why i never forgot it. This war story carries an impact that i personally feel Catch 22 does not, that of a mans feeling down deep inside and certainly not one of heroics. If you look for a flag waving novel filled with statistics of how many planes (we) shot down or bombs dropped, read something else. But if you wish to share a mans terror at 10,000 ft. or the smell of death in a hospital room. This i feel is a class A read

5 out of 5 stars The finest war book I have read on effects of soldiers........1999-01-26

This book primarily describes the effects of being bomber gunners flying from a base in Italy in World War II. With great insight into the characters, the author shows how the war powerfully affects all. It follows the gunners on their missions, into the local towns and in their barracks and base. It also shows the effects of the war on the townspeople. It left me powerfully moved, sad, and with an understanding of the emotional horrors of war. It is the best war book I have ever read.

3 out of 5 stars This is far from a novel........1999-01-19

This memoir is closer to Fussell's "Doing Battle", Thomsen's "My Two Wars" or Manchester's "Goodbye Darkness" than Heller, Vonnegut or Herr. In 1950 memoirs about schizzy post adolescent bomber crews were far from the main in war publishing. The destruction of young men in air combat was not yet popularized, anti-heroes were not admired, readers were not considering the sorrow, the pity, and the insanity. The editors took Falstein's diary stripped out the dates, replaced the writer with the fictional Ben, and the book was forgotten. Heller takes the same story amplifies the comedy, expands the insanity, writes a real novel around the diary experiences; and delivers that product to his editors just when anti-heroes are becoming cool. Monster bestseller.If you are looking for the war experience Falstein and Thomsen are the choice, looking for entertainment its Heller or Vonnegut. Put this book up on your shelf of memoirs, that is where it belongs.
The Hero with an African Face: Mythic Wisdom of Traditional Africa
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Required Reading
  • A superb piece of non-fiction
  • An Essential Book
  • All God's Children
  • A monumental work
The Hero with an African Face: Mythic Wisdom of Traditional Africa
Clyde W. Ford
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

GeneralGeneral | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Folklore & MythologyFolklore & Mythology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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African-American StudiesAfrican-American Studies | Special Groups | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
FolkloreFolklore | Mythology | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Mythology | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Fairy TalesFairy Tales | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Tribal & EthnicTribal & Ethnic | Other Practices | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0553378686
Release Date: 2000-01-04

Book Description

In this remarkable book, Clyde Ford restores to us the lost treasure of African mythology, bringing to life the ancient tales and showing why they matter so much to us today.

African myths convey the perennial wisdom of humanity: the creation of the world, the hero's journey, our relationship with nature, death, and resurrection.  From the Ashanti comes the moving account of the grief-stricken Kwasi Benefo's journey to the underworld to seek his beloved wives.  From Uganda we learn of the legendary Kintu, who won the love of a goddess and created a nation from a handful of isolated clans.  The Congo's epic hero Mwindo is the sacred warrior who shows us the path each person must travel to discover his true destiny.

These and other important African myths show us the history of African Americans in a new light--as a hero's journey, a courageous passage to a hard-won victory.   The Hero with an African Face enriches us all by restoring this vital tradition to the world.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Required Reading .......2007-10-05

Should be required reading in our schools. Mr. Ford has written an enlightening book that answers the many questions pondered by americans of African origin. So many things explained prompted me to write "The Aha!" in the margin. Superb work. Thank you.

5 out of 5 stars A superb piece of non-fiction.......2007-07-30

This is an excellent book. I'd give it 100 stars if I could. Like another reader wrote, I wish I had found this book sooner. Every African and African-American should read this book. Thank you so much, Mr. Ford. I'll keep my review simple because I could go on forever. This book puts African myths in their rightful place: as legitimate, awesome, powerful stories that explain the human condition and our connection to the creator. All myths sprang from the African ones and Ford does a masterful job in explaining why myths are important to our lives today.

5 out of 5 stars An Essential Book.......2007-06-07

I've read this book twice and will probably read it once more, because I learn something new with every reading. This is such an essential book for understanding not only the importance of myth, but Africa's far-reaching contribution. Ford's book traces the genesis of myth and belief systems and shows an evolution that not only surfaces in other cultures, but even in the bible. A masterful documentary that takes us all on a hero's and heroine's journey

5 out of 5 stars All God's Children.......1999-03-19

Increasingly, happily (albeit painfully)the new question for modern man and woman is "Am I my black brother's (sister's) keeper?" Conversely, "Am I my white brother's (sister's) keeper?" The answer is a resounding "Yes!". This book is a tremendous contribution toward the fulfillment of that Dream, toward a universal Philadelphia (phila = love; delphia = brother): the City of Brotherly Love, genuine agape, Unconditional Agape.

5 out of 5 stars A monumental work.......1999-03-04

Clyde W. Ford helps us to connect to African mythology on so many levels. It is encouraging and illuminating to finally see African mythology treated in the manner that it deserves: as vital as those of any other culture. He demonstrates the importance of myth for centering our lives and providing focus for living. His discussion of the meaning and role of myth in the preface is worth the price of the book alone.
The Hero in Thy Soul: Being an Attempt to Face Life Gallantly
Average customer rating: Not rated
    The Hero in Thy Soul: Being an Attempt to Face Life Gallantly
    Arthur John Gossip
    Manufacturer: T & t Clark
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover
    ASIN: B000O2GN78
    Faces of Inequality: Social Diversity in American Politics
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • A Must for a Student of State Politics
    Faces of Inequality: Social Diversity in American Politics
    Rodney E. Hero
    Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

    GeneralGeneral | Race Relations | Sociology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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    3. Politics of Congressional Elections (Longman Classics Series), The (6th Edition) (Longman Classics Series) Politics of Congressional Elections (Longman Classics Series), The (6th Edition) (Longman Classics Series)
    4. The Divided Welfare State: The Battle over Public and Private Social Benefits in the United States The Divided Welfare State: The Battle over Public and Private Social Benefits in the United States

    ASIN: 0195137884

    Book Description

    "This is a provocative and important book that provides a new prism through which to view both state politics and public policy in America."--Paula D. McClain, University of Virginia. "This is a most exciting new book on state politics. . . . It offers fresh perspectives on standard treatments of state politics and is extraordinary well-researched. It is both a comprehensive survey of the field of American state politics and a fresh theoretical primer for understanding state policy dynamics."--Robert B. Albritton, Northern Illinois University.

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars A Must for a Student of State Politics.......2007-07-03

    States are more directly involved in policy making than national government. Further, states hold a major portion of power over laws concerning the "health, safety, morals, and well-being" of its citizenry (4). Subsequently, the analysis of state politics is based on the devolution of this power and focuses on political outcomes such as policy formation. In Faces of Inequality, Rodney Hero argues that race and ethnicity are centrally linked to the development of state policy, political institutions, party organizations, and interest group conflict. Hero's theory in this book is logically well-formed - because there are differences among states - despite the same overarching institutional framework (4). Race and ethnic groups are major features of U.S history, are not equally distributed across states, and have had very different historical and political experiences.
    In order to capture the political outcomes of states, Hero systematically analyzes the relationship of state racial and ethnic make-up to an umbrella of political features using simple state-level regression analysis. This type of analysis makes this book especially appealing to the student of political science. Strength and formation of political parties, interest groups, state policies, and institutions are found to be significantly related to state's race and ethnic composition. Further, Hero finds that these variables give much more explanatory value to political outcomes at the state level. He claims that knowing the social composition while analyzing state-level politics adds a `face' to American politics. Social diversity disaggregates, contextualizes, and serves as a core influence on and explanation of political phenomenon at the state-level.
    Hero provides a good review of past theories and studies of state-level political analysis. Preceding this review he develops his central argument - states fall into several patterns according to their race and ethnic diversity (11-15). These patterns are placed into three main categories: homogenous states (states with very small minority populations and few white ethnics); heterogeneous states (states with a large white ethnic population along with a significant amount of minority populations); and bifurcated states (states with large minority populations, primarily black and/or Latino, as well as large white non-ethnic populations). Hero's development of this pattern prepares the reader for a whirlwind of critiques of past studies and theories of state politics. He does a great job in arming the reader and trumping through a hefty load of theories - all the while presenting critical assessments of how his social diversity model could better explain political phenomenon at the state-level.
    The Hero With a Thousand Faces (Bollingen, XVII)
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      The Hero With a Thousand Faces (Bollingen, XVII)
      Joseph Campbell
      Manufacturer: Princeton
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Hardcover

      Campbell, JosephCampbell, Joseph | ( C ) | Authors, A-Z | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
      ASIN: B000MDHXP0
      The Hero With a Thousand Faces/ Bollingen Series XVII
      Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
      • One of the best storytellers of our time!
      The Hero With a Thousand Faces/ Bollingen Series XVII
      Joseph Campbell
      Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Hardcover

      Campbell, JosephCampbell, Joseph | ( C ) | Authors, A-Z | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
      ASIN: B000O5ZBAA

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars One of the best storytellers of our time!.......2007-07-28

      This was required reading for a graduate course in the Humanities. This is a great book written by a very engaging storyteller. Joseph Campbell describes the monomyth in his book The Hero With a Thousand Faces as embodying all the necessary elements of the hero's journey in the many myths in human history. Campbell discovered through extensive research that humankind shares a universal monomyth in its various religions and legends especially pertaining to the creation of the world and humankind. Campbell borrowed the term monomyth from James Joyce's book Finnegan's Wake. Campbell's intuitive insight in human myth proves that for thousands of years these myths display a certain standard structure, which he summarizes beautifully in his book.

      A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a
      region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there
      encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back
      from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons
      on his fellow man (Campbell 30).

      There are at least four major stages that a monomyth has however, in his book, Campbell goes on to describe seventeen stages that some monomyth's posses. The four stages making up the cycle of a monomyth are "passage: separation-initiation-return:" In the passage stage the hero is summoned to journey or embark on an adventure by some kind of event that takes place or from a message, he receives. The hero may embark on this passage willingly or reluctantly. During the separation stage, the hero meets with a mentor or wise man who gives the hero either an amulet or some words of wisdom to be of help to the hero on the adventure. It is during this stage that the hero will go through his first transformation, also known as "crossing the first threshold," as he crosses over to another world or dimension leaving behind the old world. In the initiation stage, the hero goes through several trials or tests. The hero often receives help in these ordeals along the way by allies or from a supernatural force. As the hero completes these ordeals successfully, he proves himself more worthy to continue the adventure. Most importantly, during this stage the hero must pass through a major ordeal that will expand his consciousness, and thereby change his character forever. Often, this ordeal entails the death of an ally or enemy. Once the hero successful accomplishes his ordeal he is rewarded with a gift, it could be intrinsic like the "holy grail, or it can be new found knowledge to better the world with. The last stage the hero travels is that of the return whence he came. Often the hero will undergo further trials on his return before he is permitted to cross the threshold back to the world he left. During his return journey, the hero will use his newfound wisdom or gift to make a safe return home. Once home the gift is used to cure some ill in the hero's home or to impart new wisdom to his neighbors.

      Campbell points to the significance of the monomyth in the fact that it describes the cycle that Moses, Jesus, and Buddha had gone through according to their religious adherents. This is not to mention the hundreds of other monomyths told throughout human history. The monomyth proves that humankind shares a common creation DNA in a sense. The monomyth is the perfect vehicle for one to study the Humanities by.

      Recommended reading for anyone interested in history, psychology, philosophy.

      Healing Myself: A Hero's Primer for Recovery from Tragedy
      Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
      • A Source of Inspiration and An Example of Courage
      • Not A Well Written Book
      • Story of tragedy, hope, persistence & personal success
      • This is a very valuable book for anyone facing surgery.
      Healing Myself: A Hero's Primer for Recovery from Tragedy
      Gari Carter , and Robert Monroe
      Manufacturer: Hampton Roads Publishing Company
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback

      WomenWomen | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
      GeneralGeneral | Death & Grief | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
      Grief & BereavementGrief & Bereavement | Death & Grief | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
      GeneralGeneral | Women's Health | Personal Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
      GeneralGeneral | Alternative Medicine | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
      GeneralGeneral | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
      GeneralGeneral | Surgery | Specialties | Medicine | Subjects | Books
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      ASIN: 1878901753

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars A Source of Inspiration and An Example of Courage.......2000-05-29

      Having read both Gari Carter's book and some of the reviews, an Eastern expression comes to mind, "there are many truths and many realities." Gari's book cannot be all things to all people, but for the reader capable of being inspired by one woman's courage and able to use this book as a source of inspiration and as a resource book, it is wonderful. Having initially read the book in 1996, I continue to use it on my own journey of healing and am grateful to the author for sharing her story.

      1 out of 5 stars Not A Well Written Book.......2000-02-01

      There are many people in need of books that help one deal with tragedies. However, even though the content of this book was interesting, it was not well-crafted and the author, G. Carter, spent too much time lambasting family members. These observations leave me with the impressions that (a) the book was never intended to be a "Hero's Primer," but rather served as a platform from which the author could take public revenge on portions of her family, and (b) this was the author's first book. People recovering from serious automobile accidents would be better served by spending their book money on medical expenses.

      5 out of 5 stars Story of tragedy, hope, persistence & personal success.......1999-11-04

      I met Gari Carter through a mutual friend and the first time I met Ms. Carter I knew there was "something" about her that was "special" Her love, calmness,sincereness,& humbleness is not found in the normal person who has never been thru a tragedy. A must read for all.

      4 out of 5 stars This is a very valuable book for anyone facing surgery........1998-11-12

      This book is an account of a woman's dealing with a traumatic injury that required many surgeries to correct. It describes her overwhelming will to live, her depression because of facial changes and pain and how she fought to rebuild her life. The most important thing that she shares is her discovery and use of Robert Monroe's tapes to help relax before and during surgery and to control the pain after surgery. I have used his tapes myself and highly recommend them to anyone who is anticapating surgery.

      The book is interesting, at times difficult to read because of the suffering you know the author is experiencing, but her fight to remain upbeat is a real inspiration.

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